The group IVE has demonstrated their global presence through the pre-release of their new song “BANG BANG.”
IVE (comprising members An Yu-jin, Gaeul, Rei, Jang Won-young, Liz, and Leeseo) unveiled the music video for “BANG BANG,” a track from their second full album “REVIVE+,” on their official YouTube channel on February 9.
In the music video, IVE appears as figures reminiscent of outlaws from the West, journeying between modern cities and Western natural landscapes in search of treasure. Throughout the video, “WANTED” posters hint at those tracking the members, adding tension. The members then evade pursuit, loading their treasure onto a train and heading towards freedom, completing an exciting narrative.
The music video was filmed in Trieste, Italy, and features a grand cinematic scale. It reinterprets traditional Western elements in a modern way and adds unexpected touches to the Brutalism-style architecture and barren deserts to create an unreal and visually stimulating experience. Renowned director Bang Jae-yeob, celebrated for his unique visual sense, directed the piece, skillfully employing camera angles to deliver both performance and storytelling.
“BANG BANG” conveys a proactive message about forging one’s path amidst external scrutiny and rumors. It blends a Western Swing intro reminiscent of Western films with a direct beat, built on EDM and electronic sounds, showcasing IVE’s distinct energy.
Thanks to its high quality, the “BANG BANG” music video topped YouTube’s rising music chart in Korea immediately upon release. It also ranked second on the global trending music videos chart and secured first place in nine countries, including Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Chile, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan. It entered the top five in a total of 21 countries worldwide.
The song’s performance on domestic music charts is also impressive. As of 10 a.m. on February 10, “BANG BANG” ranked 6th on Melon’s TOP100, demonstrating its powerful chart presence. It claimed the top spot on Melon, Bugs, and Vibe’s HOT100 (daily basis), real-time charts, and trending charts, as well as 7th on Genie’s real-time chart, marking a promising start on major domestic charts.
The global music chart performance also looks promising. As of 10 a.m. on February 10, “BANG BANG” entered the TOP10 on the iTunes K-pop top songs chart in 23 countries, including Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Thailand. It also charted in 18 countries, reaching a total of 26 territories, showcasing its international success.
Meanwhile, IVE is set to release their second full album “REVIVE+” and officially make their comeback on February 23.
Image source: IVE official YouTube
